China’s Xi says country’s COVID prevention enters new phase

China's president Xi Jinping says the country is entering a new phase in combating the pandemic.
In his first comments since the government abandoned its 'zero-COVID' strategy this month, he has called for unity in a televised address.
Xi says Beijing overcame unprecedented challenges in the battle against COVID-19 amid a new significant wave of cases in the country.
Beijing's handling of the outbreak has prompted criticism at home and concern abroad.